Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2026-06-05
Books mentioned on 676. Has America Lost the Plot?
Another war in the Middle East. A retreat from the international order.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Affluent Society
The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith is a mid-century economic critique examining how Western societies characterized by immense private wealth often neglect critical public infrastructure, services, and the common good.
Discussed“John Kenneth Golreth said in the affluence society which was published in the early 1960s I think he said the mark of the United States is private affluence and public squalor.”
Where to get it
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The Accidental Superpower
The Accidental Superpower by Mr.
Recommended“There was a very very good book by Peter Zahhan called the accidental superpower which makes this point very powerfully.”
Where to get it
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Soccernomics
Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski is a fascinating exploration of the economics and hidden data behind the global game of association football.
Recommended“It is based on the book of the same name by Simon Cooper and Stefan Shaminesky.”
Where to get it
